Jake Sanderson Emerges as Legitimate Norris Trophy Contender for Ottawa Senators
It is becoming increasingly evident that Ottawa Senators defenceman Jake Sanderson deserves serious consideration for the James Norris Memorial Trophy. Now in his fourth NHL season, the 23-year-old blueliner is delivering a masterclass in two-way hockey on a nightly basis, with the team's recent defensive success directly attributable to his exceptional performances.
Defensive Dominance and Offensive Prowess
Sanderson's brilliance manifests itself every single shift he takes. He suffocates attacking forwards with impeccable gap control, fearlessly engages in corner battles with remarkable puck retrieval success, and executes clean zone exits through crisp passing, deceptive moves, or explosive straight-line speed. His ability to quarterback offensive zone entries and identify weaknesses in opposing defensive structures has become a hallmark of his game.
During Ottawa's recent three-game winning streak, during which the team surrendered just four total goals, Sanderson was not on the ice for any of those goals against. His defensive contributions were particularly evident in a recent victory over the New Jersey Devils, where he logged 7:23 of shorthanded time during a perfect 5-for-5 penalty kill that allowed only five shots.
Statistical Excellence and Team Impact
Through 54 games this season, Sanderson has recorded 44 points (10 goals, 34 assists), putting him on pace for new career offensive highs. Remarkably, he maintains a career-best plus-9 rating despite the Senators struggling with a league-worst .868 save percentage from their goaltenders.
In the recent win against New Jersey, Sanderson contributed two assists, two shots on goal, three blocked shots, and a plus-2 rating while playing 26:09 of ice time. He demonstrated his offensive threat by drawing a penalty with his signature net drive and nearly scoring with a one-timer that hit the crossbar.
Recognition Overdue in Norris Trophy Discussions
Despite his comprehensive contributions, Sanderson remains conspicuously absent from most Norris Trophy conversations that typically focus on players like Cale Makar, Zach Werenski, Quinn Hughes, and Miro Heiskanen. He was omitted from NHL.com's Norris Trophy Tracker in early January and appears far down the odds lists on major sportsbooks.
Senators coach Travis Green praised Sanderson's development, stating, "He's excellent. His play is as good as it's ever been. He keeps improving as a player and it's a joy to watch." Sanderson himself attributes the defensive corps' success to improved puck movement, gap control, and offensive simplicity.
As the season progresses, Sanderson's combination of defensive responsibility, offensive production, and all-situations reliability makes his exclusion from Norris Trophy discussions increasingly difficult to justify. His impact on Ottawa's recent success provides compelling evidence that he belongs among the league's elite defencemen.
